What Are The 8 Safest Neighborhoods In Grand Rapids, MI?

Grand Rapids City is located in Kent County, Michigan, When it comes to festivals, food, and brews, it’s a city that’s hard to beat. Almost every neighborhood in Grand Rapids has an exciting attraction to offer, from zoos to museums to family farm markets. Regardless of the season, there is something for everyone in Grand Rapids City.

The top 8 safest neighborhoods in Grand Rapids are Ridgemoor, Michigan Oaks, Westside Connection, Millbrook, Heartside, Cherry Run, Creston, and East Hills. All of these neighborhoods have low crime rates, and most have low unemployment rates, low median household incomes, and low costs of living. With lower crime rates than Grand Rapids and Michigan overall, these neighborhoods are all very safe places to live.

Some of these neighborhoods are right in the heart of the city, while others are on the outskirts. See how they compare in terms of cost of living, income, and local amenities.

The #1 safest neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan is Ridgemoor. This neighborhood is 4 miles southeast of the city and is in close proximity to Calvin University.

In Ridgemoor, there are an estimated 127 crimes per 100,000 people. This is well below the city, state, and even national average. In comparison to Grand Rapids specifically, violent crime is over 4 times less likely in the Ridgemoor neighborhood.

The income rate in Ridgemoor is high. Its median household income is above the city, state, and national averages as well.

Ridgemoor’s median home value is $184,033, the same as the U.S average. However, the median rent price is higher than average at $1,134. These costs are also above typical Grand Rapids City and Michigan prices.

2.5 miles east of Grand Rapids is the neighborhood of Michigan Oaks, the second safest neighborhood in the city area. It is located just north of Reeds Lake and is close to outdoor destinations such as Crahen Valley Park.

In Michigan Oaks, you have a 1 in 123 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. It is safer than 95% of the cities in Michigan. Its crime rate is less than a third of that of Grand Rapids.

Residents of Michigan Oaks tend to earn more than the average Grand Rapids or Michigan residents.

The cost of living in Michigan Oaks is surprisingly low, particularly for renters. The median monthly rental cost is $648, lower than the city and state average.

Westside Connection is 3.8 miles less than four miles from Grand Rapids. It is near the John Ball Zoo and is home to several public parks, community centers, and public schools. It also has several shopping centers and other convenient amenities.

There are an estimated 843 incidents of crime per 100,000 people in Westside Connection. Over 75% of these crimes are property-related, and the chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime is a very low .2%.

Both the unemployment rate and median household income in Westside Connection are attractive to potential residents.

The cost of living is also appealing: home and rental costs are both below Michigan and U.S averages. However, real estate costs are slightly higher than the surrounding city.

The #4 safest neighborhood in Grand Rapid is Millbrook, 5 miles southeast of the city. It also holds a number of public schools, restaurants, and shops. There are several public parks in nearby neighborhoods as well.

Millbrook crime rates are lower than those in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the U.S overall. In fact, this neighborhood is 62% safer than the national average. You have a 1 in 105 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

The median household income in Millbrook is higher than the Grand Rapids area, though slightly below that of Michigan. The median home value is $115,040 and the median rental price is $525. Both are below average for the region, as well as the country overall.

The Heartside neighborhood is less than a mile from downtown Grand Rapids and nestled along the Grand River. There is no end to amenities, shops, restaurants, and things to do in Heartside.

This bustling area has a violent crime rate that is 65% lower than Grand Rapids, and its overall crime rate is less than half of the city. In Heartside, you have a 1% chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

Heartside has a lower than average median household income by city, state, and national standards. Unemployment is also higher than average at 7.1%.

Despite this, the Heartside neighborhood is relatively expensive. The average real estate price is almost twice that of Grand Rapids. Rental prices, however, are on par for the area.

Cherry Run is the least populated neighborhood on this list with a population of less than 1,000. It is 4.6 miles from the center of Grand Rapids, and the sixth safest neighborhood in the area.

The crime rate in Cherry Run is 1,441 per 100,000 residents. This is lower than the crime rates in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the country overall. Its violent crime rate, specifically, is below average across the board as well.

The median household income in the Cherry Run neighborhood is also greater than the regional average. Additionally, unemployment is lower than average.

This has not led to a high cost of living. Cherry Run real estate prices are $137,000 on average, only slightly above Michigan’s typical home cost.

The seventh safest neighborhood in Grand Rapids is Creston, a little over 3 miles north of the city. It is the most populated of the safest neighborhoods in the area. This neighborhood is bordered by the Grand River and is home to a number of parks.

Creston is safer than Grand Rapids, as well as safer than Michigan and the average U.S city. You have a 1 in 61 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

The Creston median household income is low for the state of Michigan, though higher than the surrounding city’s average.

Living in Creston is less expensive than the average Michigan city, and that includes Grand Rapids. The average cost of a home is $110,833 and the average monthly rental cost is $770.

Finally, the #8 safest neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan is East Hills. It is half a mile from the city center and hosts a plethora of restaurants and shops, as well as places to live and community centers to visit.

It may be the last entry on our list, but East Hills is significantly safer than Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the average U.S city. You have less than a 2% chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

The average income in East Hills is on par with Grand Rapids. However, it is lower than the Michigan average.

The cost of buying a home here is $147,900, slightly higher than the state and city averages. Rental costs are similar to the surrounding area at $820 per month.